Characters
Paris, Juliet, Romeo, Paris’s page, Balthazar, Friar Laurence, Capulet, Lady Capulet, Montague, Prince Escalus
The gist
Paris comes to Juliet’s grave to strew flowers and weep. Paris promises to visit Juliet’s grave every night. Paris sees a torch and withdraws into the darkness to see who else has come to Juliet’s grave. Romeo starts to open the tomb. Paris comes forward and tries to arrest Romeo. They fight, and Romeo kills Paris. Paris asks to be laid next to Juliet. Romeo does this, pledges his love to Juliet, takes poison, and dies. Friar Laurence finds Romeo and Paris dead. Juliet awakes and kills herself with Romeo’s dagger. Paris’s Page brings the watchmen to the monument of the Capulets. Prince Escalus arrives, then Capulet, Lady Capulet, and Montague. Friar Laurence tells his story, which is confirmed by Balthasar, Paris’ Page, and the letter from Romeo to his father. Montague promises to build a statue of Juliet, and Capulet promises to build one of Romeo.
Quotations
“A greater power than we can contradict Hath thwarted our intents.” – Friar Lawrence p247